Is GloRilla gospel? Tye Tribbett, Melech Thomas, and the Art of Creating an Appropriate Ministry

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Is it just us, or has the entertainment industry apparently recently gone on a truth-telling tour? The last stop was viral interview in the “Breakfast Club”, where the Grammy Award-winning gospel artist and Pastor Tye Tribbett he made a revealing admission: the current system and structure of the “(black) church sucks.” Tribbett’s assessment that “church” is losing relevance was in response to questions on the perceived decline of celebrity pastors in popular culture. It echoes the warning in his song “Sinking,” Tribbett went on to say, “The church should be about the people, but the church creates people around the church… They don’t serve the people and don’t love the people.”

While there may be undoubtedly some truth in his comments, as one might expect, Tribbett has faced a backlash from such ministers Pastor Mike McClure, Jr., who took to social media to say that the musician must have kept his criticism secret and could have also identified spiritual colleagues working to share the ministry.

However, the query stays: How do most preachers live and preach the gospel in an accessible way?

While many “saints” may reject the concept that the Church is crazy, Tribbett’s words weren’t lost ON Pastor Melech E. M. Thomaswho entered collective chat through footage of one of his sermons showing how he redefines gospel music; music that lifts his spirit. Last Sunday at Payne Memorial AME Church in West BaltimorePastor Thomas preached a sermon it has since gone viral, precisely because he spoke in an idiom and language that strange people recognize, and surprisingly, using the lyrics of someone he proposed, he’s GloRilla’s “new gospel artist” “Tomorrow.”

“I love good gospel music and there is this new gospel artist,” Thomas proclaimed. “Some of you may know her, some of you may not. … She’s from Memphis. Her name is Gloria Hallelujah Woods. Some of you may know her as GloRilla – yes, GloRilla… Well, GloRilla has a song titled “Tomorrow” and makes the following statement that blesses me. He says, “Every day the sun doesn’t shine, but that’s why I love tomorrow.” And I seek advice from some those that life hasn’t been the smoothest for you. But you understand that what Big Mama kept saying was right: “May the weeping last one night, but joy come in the morning.” That every single day just isn’t good. But if I live to see tomorrow, something might change. Well, have a look at your neighbor and say, “Yes, Glo.”

To be clear, this is not only about Thomas quoting a rapper – most black churchgoers know it might probably occur any Sunday. No, the fact is that unlike some of his Baltimore pastoral cohorts who took low cost shots at black women, prostitutes and those around them – even using lyrics like “These Hoes ain’t Loyal” – Thomas handled it and offered it up as holy a piece of art by an artist that many would consider blasphemous attributable to its sexually explicit and adult content.

Speaking with Father Thomas, a colleague and friend, he explained to us why and how he uses hip-hop as a lens to interpret Scripture. “We need to listen to the music our young people listen to,” he said. Like those of us who grew up with hip-hop and other forms of urban youth music – equivalent to go-go, house music, trap and other styles – there’s something to be said for recognizing and repurposing the same styles, expressions and storytelling , which popular artists use to convey messages that could be heard and understood.

As scholars and clergy, we understand that there have at all times been tensions in the community of faith over the use of “world music” to talk to the times. Thomas says he’s inspired by preachers like the Brethren and go-go pastors Tony’s turns AND Bill Lee Communities of Hope, who often are praised for his unconventional approach to ministry. Like Reverend Thomas, Fr. Tony and Bill Lee come from an AME tradition full of preachers in the Black prophetic tradition. From remixing go-go music to starting a church strip club (yes, really), these two brothers in blood and service show that God can use anyone and anything to bring hope, transformation and empowerment – to individuals and communities.

However, Thomas didn’t at all times agree with their culturally appropriate technique. In fact, he confessed that when he was 13, he didn’t like the Lee brothers’ references to hip-hop and go-go music of their sermons. He found their style problematic enough that he spoke to the Reverend Tony Lee to challenge his methodology. At a key point in his mentoring, Lee explained to Thomas that he was preaching in a language people recognized, and Thomas soon began to note the solid ethics and results that resulted.

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If a community of faith desires to stay relevant and forward-looking, there are three elements around which we must always all be open to listening and searching for understanding:

Authenticity and transparency: A community of faith can dare to be authentic and transparent about the real challenges of people’s faith. You can authentically connect along with your community without sacrificing your values. Combating the discomfort of sharing shortcomings could be each enlightening and lasting for audiences seeking to connect.

Adaptability and innovation: As society evolves, the Church should be open to adapting its approach to stay culturally appropriate and effective in meeting the needs of local communities. Tye Tribbett’s critique suggests that the church should embrace innovation and explore a brand new approach to ministry that privileges the well-being and empowerment of individuals over tradition, so-called holiness, and institutional behavior.

Empowerment and service: The faith community should prioritize enabling individuals to actively take part in the work of the Church and serve others in meaningful ways. Tye Tribbett’s emphasis on the essence of the church emphasizes the importance of shifting attention from institutional problems to the overall development and empowerment of its members.

In short, may those of us in spiritual leadership anticipate and be open to more conversations about learn how to engage our communities with messages of hope and learn how to use language and style that stretches us. Let’s attempt to consciously experience moments of introspection and have a good time the moments after we challenge ourselves to grow. We are higher equipped to succeed in latest heights and greater depths after we are willing to listen to from others who use language or share criticism that we may not hear from our inner circles. When we put our egos aside, we are able to trust that the Creator of the Universe will use whoever, each time and whatever is required, regardless of how essential. May we remain open to all ways in which lead us to holistically perfect our theology.

The Rev. Dr. Alisha Lola Jones is a faith leader helping people navigate a dynamic world, as a consultant to varied arts and faith-based organizations and as Professor of Music in Contemporary Societies at the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England. She is an award-winning creator (Oxford University Press). For more information please visit DrAlisha.com.

Rev. Calvin Taylor Skinner is committed to strengthening frontline communities in Knoxville, Tennessee and the UK. He uses faith and politics to handle energy justice, criminal justice reform, voter education/mobilization, electoral politics, and global issues. He and his wife, Reverend Dr. Alisha Lola Jones, run InSight Initiative, a consulting firm focused on capability constructing and live event production.